Texas Rangers Acquire C Geovany Soto from Chicago Cubs

The Texas Rangers acquired catcher Geovany Soto from Chicago Cubs late Monday night in what was a less than expected move.

Texas got Soto in exchange for Double-A Frisco right-hander Jacob Brigham. The Rangers have designated catcher Yorvit Torrealba for assignment, to clear a roster spot for Soto, and are expected to trade him.

Major League Baseball’s trade deadline ends Tuesday.

Torrealba is hitting .236 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 49 games with a .302 on-base percentage and a .342 slugging percentage.

Soto has proven in the past he can be a front-line catcher, but he has struggled behind the plate this season. Soto claimed National League Rookie of the Year honors and was named an All-Star in 2008, but as mentioned, he’s hitting a career-worst .195 with six home runs and 14 RBIs in 51 games this season.

Soto, 29, is making $4.3 million this season and can’t become a free agent until after the 2013 season, providing the Rangers some insurance should they not be able to retain Mike Napoli, whom becomes a free agent at the end of the season.

Brigham was on the Rangers' 40-man roster, but he is not among their Top 20 Minor League prospects. In 21 starts with Frisco, Brigham is 5-5 with a 4.28 ERA, 116 strikeouts and 46 walks in 124 innings. He was the Rangers' sixth-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. A Texas League All-Star this year, Brigham tossed six shutout innings in his last outing Saturday and is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his last three starts.